India Luxury travel

Click on a place name below to find out more. Alternatively, to start planning where to go in India, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0613.

Agra and the Taj Mahal

Central South India

Chennai & Tamil Nadu

Delhi

Eastern India

Goa

India Wildlife Reserves and National Parks

Kerala

Luxury trains

Mumbai

Palace stays and historic hotels

Rajasthan

The Golden Triangle

The Himalaya

Varanasi

The Practical information displayed here is taken from The Traveller's Handbook, published by WEXAS (2009). While all possible care was taken to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, we are aware that situations change, so for the latest information and up-to-date visa requirements, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0613.

Weather

India has three seasons: hot, cool and wet. Heat starts to build in February, peaking in June. In May, there is high humidity prior to the monsoon. The rain starts in June in the south and spreads to include the north by July, it ends for most areas by October. Himalayan areas will be very cold in winter.

Festivals

Among the many highlights is Holi, the Festival of Colours, in March. It’s great fun, with people throwing coloured powder and water at each other, although it can get rather rowdy. In autumn, the festival of lights, Diwali, is celebrated with particular enthusiasm in northern India, with fireworks being lit, together with candles and oil lamps. The colourful Camel Fair at Pushkar is in October/November.

Food & drink

Huge regional variations. Curries are based on individual masalas, each containing a unique blend of freshly ground spices. More meat dishes in the north, generally served with breads - naan, chapatis or pooris, mainly fish and vegetarian in the south, served with rice or dosa (pancakes). Chai - tea brewed with milk and sugar - is the most popular drink.

Etiquette

The Hindu greeting is to fold the hands and say namaste. Visitors should remove footwear when entering temples and other places of religious significance. Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol. Sikhs and Parsees do not smoke. Above all, the various traditions of India’s religions should be respected at all times.

Safety

Safe, if sensible. Beware of petty scams. Certain areas unsafe (e.g. Kashmir). Threat of terrorism throughout the country.

International airport

(And distances from nearest city) Mumbai (BOM) 29 km, Calcutta (CCU) 13 km, Delhi (DEL), Chennai (MAA) 14 km . Amritsar - Raja Sansi (ATQ) 11 km, Goa - Dabolim (GOI) 30 km.

Internal travel

Domestic air network connects over 70 cities. India has the second-largest rail system in the world, always chaotic but surprisingly organised at the same time. This is the best way to experience India. Express, deluxe and sleeper buses. Cars can be easily rented, with or without a driver. Other transport includes cycle- and auto-rickshaws. Bargaining is essential.

Visa

Required.

Vaccination

BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep. B, JE, Malaria, Meningitis, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2.

Driving

International Driving Permit.

Capital

New Delhi.

Language

English is the language of business and spoken widely. Hindi is the national language but there are 14 other official languages including Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu and Kashmiri.

People

Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and Mongoloid.

Religion

Hindu (83%), Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Buddhist minorities.

Size

3,287,590.

Population

1,129,866,154.

Population density

343.6.

Life expectancy

M 66.28, F 71.17.

Currency

Rupee (Rs) = 100 paise.

Finance

Credit cards and traveller’s cheques accepted in most cities.

Business hours

0930-1700 Mon-Friday, 0930-1300 Saturday.

Time difference

+5.5.

Voltage

220-240 AC, 50 Hz. Some areas have a DC supply.

International dial code

91.

The itinerary ideas listed below are designed to give you a flavour of the things to do in India. We can adjust any element and tailor-make your trip though, to suit your individual needs and available time. To start planning your trip, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0613.

India with Oberoi Hotels

Rajasthan & the tigers of Madhya Pradesh

Rajasthan with Heritage Hotels

Keralan Spice Coast

India’s Golden Triangle

Captivating Kerala

The Golden Triangle with Taj Hotels

The Maharajas Express - Gems of India

The Maharajas Express - India Splendour

Treasures of Rajasthan with Taj Hotels

[See all itinerary ideas in India]

The places to stay listed below only represent a handful of the accommodation options available in India. We can also recommend and arrange accommodation to suit your personal tastes and budget. To start planning where to stay in India, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0613.

Rajasthan with Heritage Hotels

The Maharajas Express - India Splendour

Ananda in the Himalayas

The Oberoi, New Delhi

The Claridges, New Delhi

The Oberoi Amarvilas

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

Rajasthan with Taj Hotels

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

[See all places to stay in India]

The types of holiday listed below are just a flavour of the experiences available in India. We can also suggest and plan alternative types of holiday to take into account your individual interests. To start planning what to do whilst away, talk to one of our destination specialists on 020 7590 0613.

Activity & adventure holidays

Cruise

History and culture

Spa breaks